Produced 15,000 Kilowatt-hours In Year One
AUGUSTA, ME — Today is Earth Day, and Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) is celebrating the one-year anniversary of powering its Augusta headquarters with solar energy. NRCM is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, and its solar array has produced 15,000 Kilowatt-hours in its first year, about as much power as is used by two average Maine homes in a year. NRCM expects to save $32,000 over life of project.
“NRCM is delighted with the energy generated by our solar array in its first year,” said Lisa Pohlmann, Executive Director for NRCM. “The solar panels on our roof are helping our environment, and cutting our electricity bills too.”
Sunshine is plentiful in Maine, making the environmentally friendly resource cost effective for homes, businesses, and nonprofits. Maine benefits from 30% more sunshine per year than Germany, one of the world leaders in solar energy installations.
“In addition to producing clean energy and protecting our environment, NRCM’s solar installation also employed Maine workers and had additional economic benefits too,” said Pohlmann. “Because our solar project will free up more than $30,000 dollars over its life, NRCM can invest those additional funds to protect, restore, and conserve Maine’s environment, instead of spending them on electricity bills. Any nonprofit, business, or homeowner in Maine, could benefit too.”
Inspired by the solar array at the office, NRCM communications director Judy Berk and her husband David Foley installed their 12-panel system last May. “We’re delighted to report that we have produced 3,500 Kwh so far, which is more power than we use,” said Berk. “Because we have been conscious of energy efficiency, these panels have provided enough power for both our home and the office of Holland and Foley Architecture next door as well.”
NRCM partnered with ReVision Energy, to install solar panels on the roof of its headquarters in Augusta as part of an innovative agreement. Under the agreement ReVision Energy installed the panels, while NRCM pays the company for the power generated from the system at a rate per kilowatt-hour that is two cents less than a normal electric bill. This allows NRCM to benefit from solar energy, while ReVision Energy arranged for the financing, installation, and management during the life of the agreement.
